Keep It Renegade Strong
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Board
Critical Warning
NEVER soak your board in water.
NEVER place it in a dishwasher.
Prolonged water exposure causes warping, cracking, and irreversible damage to the end-grain structure. Your board is an investment -- treat it right and it will serve you for generations.
General Clean
After every use
Scrape off any food residue with a bench scraper or the back of a knife.
Wipe the board with a cloth or sponge dampened with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap.
Rinse briefly under running water -- do not let water pool or sit on the surface.
Wipe dry immediately with a clean towel.
Stand the board upright on its edge to air dry completely before storing.
Thorough Clean
Weekly or after strong odours
Sprinkle a generous layer of coarse salt (sea salt or kosher salt) over the entire board surface.
Cut a lemon in half and use the cut side to scrub the salt across the board in circular motions, squeezing gently as you go.
The salt acts as an abrasive while the lemon's acidity naturally deodorises and disinfects.
Let the salt and lemon mixture sit for 5 minutes to work its magic.
Scrape off the salt, rinse briefly under warm water, wipe dry immediately, and stand upright to air dry.
Maintaining Your Board
Regular oiling and conditioning keeps your board hydrated, prevents cracking, and deepens the rich character of the African hardwoods.
First Year
Monthly oiling recommended
New boards are thirsty. During the first year, oil your board monthly to build up a deep, protective layer of moisture resistance.
Mineral Oil Application
Ensure the board is completely clean and dry.
Apply African Renegade Kitchen Timber Care mineral oil liberally across the entire surface, edges, and bottom.
Spread evenly with a clean, lint-free cloth, working the oil into the grain.
Let the oil soak in for 20 minutes (or overnight for best results).
Wipe off any excess oil with a dry cloth.
Repeat monthly for the first 12 months.
After First Year
Quarterly maintenance
Once your board is well-seasoned, shift to a quarterly routine. Oil first, then seal with Timber Butter for the ultimate protection.
Step 1: Oil
Apply mineral oil as described above. Let it soak for at least 20 minutes. Wipe off excess.
Step 2: Seal with Timber Butter
Scoop a small amount of African Renegade Timber Butter with your fingers.
Warm the butter between your palms until it softens.
Spread evenly across the board surface, edges, and bottom in circular motions.
Let it sit for 15 -- 20 minutes to penetrate the grain.
Buff the board with a clean, dry cloth until it has a smooth, satin finish.
Pro tip: If your board ever looks dry, feels rough, or the wood appears lighter in colour -- it's asking for oil. Listen to it. A well-oiled board is a happy board.
Forged for Your Board
The Renegade Care Kit
Purpose-made by African Renegade in Cape Town. Food-safe, all-natural, and formulated specifically for hardwood end-grain surfaces.
Kitchen Timber Care
Mineral Oil -- 125 ml
Food-safe, pharmaceutical-grade white mineral oil. Odourless, colourless, and tasteless. Penetrates deep into end-grain fibres to hydrate, protect against moisture, and prevent drying and cracking.
Ingredients
100% pharmaceutical-grade white mineral oil
Application
- --Apply liberally to all surfaces of a clean, dry board
- --Let soak for 20 minutes (overnight for best results)
- --Wipe off excess with a clean cloth
- --Repeat monthly in the first year, quarterly thereafter
Timber Butter
Handcrafted -- 65 g
A rich blend of 100% Cape Point beeswax and white mineral oil. Seals and conditions the wood after oiling, creating a smooth, water-resistant barrier that enhances the natural beauty and grain pattern of your board.
Ingredients
100% Cape Point beeswax, white mineral oil
Application
- --Apply after oiling for maximum protection
- --Warm a small amount between your palms
- --Spread evenly in circular motions across all surfaces
- --Let sit 15 -- 20 minutes, then buff to a satin finish